Sheryl Jean Neeland, 66, passed away Sept. 29, 2023, at the University of Kansas Medical Center – Great Bend Campus. She was born Aug. 12, 1957, in Hobbs, New Mexico, to Dale and Ella (Koch) Hartig. On July 28, 1990, Sheryl was united in marriage to Craig Neeland in Ellinwood, Kan. 

Sheryl grew up in rural Ellinwood, Kan., graduating from Ellinwood High School in 1975. She received her Associate’s in Nursing from Barton Community College and continued her education at Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor’s in Education degree in 1983. From there, Sheryl received her Master’s in Counseling degree in 1993. 

Sheryl loved to spend time with her children, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, as well as her grandchildren. She touched the lives of many children in Great Bend. She was a Kindergarten teacher and school nurse at Riley Elementary, a Guidance Counselor at Jefferson Elementary and Park Elementary and then at the Great Bend Middle School. She worked for the Great Bend USD 428 District for a total of 38 years. She was instrumental in developing Reality U at the Middle School. Sheryl was active in many local volunteer organizations including United Way of Central Kansas and Memories Matter Camp. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella. 

Survivors include, her husband, Craig Neeland of the home; two children, Sarah Trujillo and husband Tyler of Hugoton and Adam Neeland and wife Alex of Great Bend; two grandchildren, Madden and Ella Trujillo, with a grandbaby Trujillo to arrive in December; one brother, JR Hartig (Bernie) of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Carol Byrd (Eugene) of Birmingham, Ala.; and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Ella Hartig; and father-in-law, Paul Neeland

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society rosary at 4 p.m. and Vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Interment will be in Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood, Kan. Memorials have been designated to United Way of Central Kansas or American Cancer Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS.  67530 

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 30, 2023